Words With French Origins

Take the Quiz

298 Words

1 abandon To leave someone or something behind for good, especially when you have a duty to stay.
2 abandonment The act of leaving someone or something behind completely, or the state of having been left that way.
3 abate To become less strong or severe; to die down.
4 abattoir A place where animals are killed for food; a slaughterhouse.
5 abut To share a border with, or be right next to, something else.
6 acceptance The act of agreeing to receive, believe, or approve of something.
7 accompaniment Music played to support a main singer or instrument.
8 accordion A boxy musical instrument with folding bellows, played by pressing buttons or keys while squeezing air through...
9 acetylene A colourless, highly flammable gas made of two carbon and two hydrogen atoms, burned with oxygen to produce an...
10 achievement Something accomplished through effort, skill, or courage; a notable success.
11 acquaintance A person you know slightly, but who is not a close friend.
12 acrobat A performer skilled in feats of balance, flexibility, and coordination, such as tumbling or tightrope walking.
13 Adele A female given name from the Germanic languages.
14 adieu Said when parting from someone, especially for a long time or for good; goodbye.
15 adios Goodbye — a casual, Spanish-derived way to say farewell.
16 adjourn To pause or end a meeting, trial, or event, often to resume it later.
17 adjournment The act of pausing or ending a meeting or session, or the period during which it is paused.
18 admiralty The government department or authority in charge of naval affairs.
19 admissible Allowed to be accepted or considered, especially in a court of law.
20 advancement Progress or improvement, especially a move up to a higher position or level.
21 advantage Something that puts you in a better or more favorable position than others.
22 adventurous Willing to take risks and try new, exciting things.
23 advertise To promote a product, service, or event publicly in order to attract interest or sales.
24 advertisement A public notice or message designed to sell or promote a product, service, or idea.
25 advice A suggestion or opinion offered to help someone decide or act.
26 advisement Careful consideration or deliberation, especially before making a decision.
27 advocacy Public support for a cause, policy, or group of people.
28 aeronautics The science and practice of designing, building, and flying aircraft.
29 aeroplane British term for a powered aircraft with fixed wings; an airplane.
30 aesthetic Relating to beauty, art, or how something looks and feels visually.
31 afraid Feeling fear; frightened.
32 agreeable Pleasant and easy to like.
33 agreement A shared understanding or arrangement between two or more people or groups.
34 aide A person who assists someone, especially in a professional or political role.
35 Aimee A female given name of French origin, meaning "beloved."
36 airplane A powered aircraft with fixed wings and at least one engine, capable of carrying passengers or cargo.
37 Alain A French male given name, equivalent to the English name Alan.
38 alarm A sound, signal, or device that warns of danger or draws attention to something needing action.
39 Albertine A female given name of Germanic origin, a variant of Albertina, ultimately related to Albert.
40 alcove A small recessed space set into the wall of a larger room.
41 Aleppo A major city in northern Syria, and the region surrounding it.
42 alert Watchful and paying close attention; ready to notice or react quickly.
43 Alexandre A male given name from French or Portuguese, equivalent to Alexander.
44 Algernon A male given name of French origin.
45 Algiers The capital and largest city of Algeria.
46 Algonquin A member of an Indigenous North American people living mainly in Quebec, related to the Odawa and Ojibwe.
47 Alice A female given name of Germanic origin, popular in England since the Middle Ages.
48 alignment The arrangement of things in a straight line, or the state of being correctly positioned relative to each othe...
49 Alison A female given name of Germanic origin, brought into English via Old French as a diminutive related to Alice.
50 allegiance Loyalty or duty owed to a country, leader, cause, or group.
51 alley A narrow passage or street between or behind buildings.
52 alliance A formal agreement or partnership between countries, groups, or people to work together for a shared goal.
53 allot To give out or assign a share of something to each person or purpose.
54 allotment A share or portion of something that has been assigned.
55 allowance A fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses.
56 allure A powerful, attractive charm or appeal that draws people in.
57 Alphonse A male given name of Germanic origin, the French form of Alfonso.
58 altruism Selfless concern for the wellbeing of others, often shown through helpful action.
59 amber A hard, translucent, yellow-to-brown fossilized tree resin, used in jewellery and sometimes containing preserv...
60 ambiance The particular mood or atmosphere created by a place or its surroundings.
61 ambush A surprise attack launched from a hidden position.
62 amenable Willing to go along with a suggestion or be persuaded.
63 amendment A formal change made to a law, bill, or constitution.
64 amends Something done to make up for harm or wrongdoing.
65 amuse To entertain someone or make them laugh or smile.
66 anagram A word or phrase made by rearranging the letters of another word or phrase.
67 analog Representing information as a continuously variable signal rather than as digital data, such as the hands of a...
68 analyst A person whose job is to study data, systems, or situations closely and draw conclusions from them.
69 analyze To examine something carefully, breaking it into parts to understand it better.
70 anarchist A person who believes that government and formal authority should be abolished in favour of voluntary cooperat...
71 ancestral Belonging to, inherited from, or associated with one's ancestors.
72 ancestry The line of ancestors a person descends from; one's family origins or heritage.
73 anecdote A short, often amusing story about a real event or person.
74 Anjou A variety of pear with green or red skin and a sweet, mild flavor.
75 Annette A female given name, a French diminutive of Anne.
76 announcement A public or formal statement telling people about something.
77 annoyance A feeling of mild irritation, or the thing that causes it.
78 anoint To put oil on someone or something, often as part of a religious ceremony.
79 Antoinette A female given name of French origin, a feminine form of Antoine, best known from Queen Marie Antoinette.
80 apartment A self-contained set of rooms for living in, forming part of a larger building; a flat.
81 appalling Shockingly bad or unpleasant; horrifying.
82 apparel Clothing, especially as a category of goods.
83 appeasement The act of calming someone, especially by giving in to their demands to avoid conflict.
84 appetizing Looking or smelling good enough to make you want to eat.
85 appointment A prearranged meeting at a specific time.
86 appreciation A feeling of gratitude or recognition of something's value.
87 apprentice Someone learning a skilled trade by working under an experienced person.
88 apron A piece of clothing worn over the front of the body to protect clothes, especially while cooking.
89 apropos Fitting or relevant to the situation at hand.
90 archery The sport or skill of shooting arrows with a bow.
91 Archibald A male given name of Germanic origin, often shortened to "Archie".
92 aristocrat A member of the aristocracy or nobility.
93 aristocratic Belonging to, or typical of, the aristocracy — noble, refined, or privileged in bearing.
94 Arkansas A state in the south-central United States, capital Little Rock.
95 armoire A tall, freestanding cupboard or wardrobe, often ornately built, used for storing clothes or other items.
96 arrange To put things into a particular order or position.
97 arrangement The way something is organized, positioned, or laid out.
98 arras A large, decorative tapestry, especially one hung on a wall.
99 arrival The act of reaching a place or the moment someone or something gets there.
100 artillery Large guns used in warfare, or the branch of an army that operates them.
101 artiste A professional performer, especially a singer, dancer, or entertainer.
102 artistic Relating to art, or showing creative skill and good taste.
103 assassin A person who kills someone deliberately, especially a public or political figure, often for money or political...
104 assassinate To murder someone, especially a prominent or political figure, typically in a planned or sudden attack.
105 asset Something valuable that a person, company, or country owns or controls.
106 assets Everything of value that a person or company owns, especially as it relates to paying off debts.
107 assignment A task given to someone, especially a piece of schoolwork or a work project.
108 Asterix The title character of a French comic book series about an Ancient Gaulish warrior, created by René Goscinny a...
109 astonish To surprise someone so much that they are left amazed.
110 atelier A workshop or studio, especially one used by an artist, designer, or fashion house.
111 atheism The belief that no gods or deities exist, or the absence of belief in any deity.
112 atheist A person who does not believe that any gods or deities exist.
113 attach To fasten or connect one thing to another, physically or figuratively.
114 attachment A file sent along with an email or message.
115 attack To use violent force against a person or place.
116 attendance The act of being present at an event, or the number of people present.
117 attendant A person whose job is to help or serve people in a particular place, such as a parking lot or flight.
118 attentive Paying close attention; alert and observant.
119 attic The space, often sloped and unfinished, directly under the roof of a house, typically used for storage.
120 attire Clothing, especially of a particular style appropriate to an occasion.
121 attorney A lawyer, especially one licensed to represent clients in legal matters.
122 auguste A type of clumsy, red-nosed circus clown who plays the troublemaker against the more composed whiteface clown.
123 Augustin A traditional 14-point printing type size, especially in French typography.
124 Austen An English surname, most famously associated with the novelist Jane Austen.
125 avant The leading or front section of an army; the vanguard.
126 average A single value that represents the typical or central figure in a set of numbers, usually found by adding them...
127 Avignon A historic city in southern France, on the Rhône, once the seat of the medieval popes.
128 Avril A female given name of French origin, equivalent to April.
129 await To wait for something or someone, often with a sense of expectation.
130 awning A sheet of canvas or similar material fixed over a window, door, or deck to give shelter from sun or rain.
131 azure A bright blue color, like a clear sky.
132 baba A small, rich cake soaked in rum or other flavored syrup.
133 baboon A large Old World monkey with a dog-like snout, big canine teeth, cheek pouches, and a short tail.
134 bac A flat-bottomed ferry, traditionally pulled across a river by rope.
135 baccarat A card game, popular in casinos, where players bet on which of two hands will score closer to nine.
136 badlands Dry, heavily eroded terrain, often marked by jagged rock formations and little vegetation.
137 baggage Suitcases, bags, and other belongings carried while traveling.
138 bah Used to express contempt, disgust, or irritation.
139 banal So common and unoriginal that it is boring.
140 banality The quality of being dull, unoriginal, and overly familiar.
141 band A group of musicians who perform together.
142 bandage A strip of material wrapped around a wound to protect or support it.
143 bandy To pass something back and forth between people, especially words, rumors, or ideas.
144 banish To officially force someone to leave a place, usually as punishment, and forbid their return.
145 banker A person who works in or manages a bank, especially in a senior or professional capacity.
146 banner A long strip of fabric or sign, often bearing a message, slogan, or emblem.
147 bargain An item bought for noticeably less than its usual price; a good deal.
148 Baroque Extravagantly ornate and detailed, especially in art, architecture, or music.
149 barrack A large, plain building used to house soldiers or other groups of people.
150 barrage A sudden, heavy, and continuous stream of something, especially words, questions, or gunfire.
151 barricade A barrier hastily built across a street or passage to block movement.
152 barrier A physical structure that blocks passage or access.
153 Barry In heraldry, describing a shield divided into an even number of horizontal bands of alternating colors.
154 barter To trade goods or services directly for other goods or services, without using money.
155 basil An aromatic herb with green leaves, widely used in cooking, especially in Italian and Thai dishes.
156 basset A short-legged, long-eared breed of hound known for its keen sense of smell and droopy face.
157 bassoon A large woodwind instrument with a double reed, playing in the tenor and bass range.
158 baste To drip melted fat, butter, or juices over food (usually meat) while it cooks, to keep it moist.
159 Bastille A fortress or prison, especially one associated with harsh or unjust treatment of its inmates.
160 bastion A projecting section of a fort or castle wall, built to give defenders a better line of fire.
161 bat A small, flying, mostly nocturnal mammal with wings made of skin stretched between its fingers.
162 batman Historically, a soldier assigned as a personal servant or aide to a military officer.
163 baton A short stick used by a police officer as a weapon or by a conductor to lead an orchestra.
164 battalion A large army unit, typically made up of several companies and usually forming part of a brigade or regiment.
165 bayard A horse with a reddish-brown coat; more loosely, any horse.
166 bayonet A blade attached to the muzzle end of a rifle, used for close combat.
167 bayou A slow-moving, marshy stream or channel, especially in the southern United States.
168 beagle A small, short-legged hound with a smooth coat, often tricolored, traditionally used for hunting hares and now...
169 beak The hard, pointed structure at the front of a bird's face, used for eating, grooming, and carrying things.
170 Beauchamp An English surname of Norman French origin, meaning "beautiful field".
171 beaucoup A great deal; a lot (used informally, often for emphasis).
172 Beaufort A firm, nutty French cheese made from cow's milk in the Alps, similar to Gruyère.
173 Beaulieu A surname and place name of French origin, meaning "beautiful place", also a village in Hampshire, England.
174 Beaumont A surname and place name of French origin, meaning "beautiful hill", also a city in Texas.
175 because For the reason that; introduces an explanation or cause.
176 Bedouin A member of a nomadic Arab people traditionally living in the desert.
177 behavior The way a person, animal, or system acts, especially in response to a situation.
178 beige A pale, sandy brown colour.
179 belfry A tower or part of a tower, usually attached to a church, that houses bells.
180 Belinda A female given name popularised by Alexander Pope's 1714 poem "The Rape of the Lock."
181 Bellamy A surname of Anglo-Norman origin.
182 Belleville A place name of French origin meaning "beautiful town", shared by cities in France, Canada, and the United Sta...
183 Bellevue A place name of French origin meaning "beautiful view", shared by several cities in the United States.
184 Belmont A place name of French origin meaning "beautiful mountain", shared by several towns in the United States and a...
185 Bernard Informal shortened form of "Saint Bernard," the large mountain rescue dog breed.
186 bertha A wide, flat lace or fabric collar that drapes over the shoulders of a dress.
187 berthe A decorative trim or collar added around the neckline of a dress.
188 Bhutan A small kingdom in South Asia, in the eastern Himalayas, with Thimphu as its capital.
189 bias An unfair leaning toward or against something, often without a person even realizing it.
190 Bic Informal name for a disposable ballpoint pen, from the brand.
191 bicycle A two-wheeled vehicle steered with handlebars and powered by pedaling.
192 Biden An English surname, notably borne by Joe Biden, the 46th president of the United States.
193 bidet A low bathroom fixture used for washing the genital and anal area after using the toilet.
194 bigot Someone who clings stubbornly to their own views and won't tolerate people of a different race, religion, gend...
195 bigotry Intolerant, narrow-minded prejudice, especially over race, religion, or politics.
196 bijou A small, delicate piece of jewelry or a trinket.
197 billiard Relating to the game of billiards.
198 billiards A cue sport played on a table with balls that are struck to score points, in various forms such as pool and sn...
199 billion A thousand million: 1,000,000,000 (10⁹), the standard modern meaning.
200 Biloxi A city on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, and one of the two county seats of Harrison County.
201 bisque A rich, creamy soup, traditionally made from shellfish.
202 bistro A small, casual restaurant, often serving simple French-style food.
203 bivouac A temporary outdoor camp made with little or no shelter, especially for a night or two.
204 bizarre Strikingly odd or unconventional, well outside normal experience.
205 blanc A white sauce made from fat, broth, and vegetables, used especially with braised meats.
206 Blanchard A French surname, and the name of several towns in the United States.
207 Blanche A feminine given name and surname of French origin, meaning "white."
208 blank Free of writing, marks, or content; empty.
209 blanket A large piece of soft, thick fabric used for warmth, typically on a bed or wrapped around the body.
210 blemish A small mark or flaw that spoils an otherwise clean or attractive surface.
211 blister A small, fluid-filled bubble that forms under the skin, usually from friction, heat, or irritation.
212 bloc A group of countries, parties, or people united by shared political or economic goals.
213 block A solid piece of a hard material, usually with flat sides.
214 blond Having pale yellowish or golden hair.
215 blot A spot or stain, especially of ink or a similar substance.
216 blouse A loose-fitting shirt, especially one worn by women, often with buttons and a collar.
217 bludgeon A short, heavy club used as a weapon.
218 Bluebeard A man who marries and kills a series of wives, after the villain of the classic fairy tale.
219 Boche (dated, offensive, derogatory) A term used by the British and French, especially during the World Wars, to ref...
220 bohemian A person, especially an artist or writer, who lives an unconventional lifestyle, often rejecting mainstream no...
221 Boise The capital and largest city of Idaho, USA.
222 boisterous Loud, energetic, and a bit rowdy; full of noisy enthusiasm.
223 boko A slang or dialect word for the nose.
224 bomb An explosive device designed to cause damage or destruction.
225 bombardier A crew member on a military aircraft responsible for aiming and releasing bombs.
226 bonbon A small sweet, especially a piece of chocolate-covered candy.
227 bonjour A French greeting meaning "hello" or "good morning."
228 bonne A French term for a nursemaid or housemaid.
229 bonnet A soft hat, often tied under the chin, traditionally worn by women or children.
230 Bonneville A French surname, and the name of several communes in France, meaning "good town."
231 boogie A lively style of dancing, especially to pop, rock, or swing music.
232 boot A sturdy shoe that covers the foot and part of the leg.
233 booty Valuable goods taken by force, especially loot seized in war or piracy.
234 booyah Used to show excitement, triumph, or that you just pulled something off.
235 border The line separating two countries, states, or regions.
236 Bosse A surname of French, German, or Dutch origin.
237 Boucher A French surname, an occupational name for a butcher.
238 boudoir A woman's private sitting room, dressing room, or bedroom.
239 bouillabaisse A hearty fish stew from the south of France, traditionally made with several kinds of fish and shellfish, herb...
240 boulevard A wide, tree-lined street, often with a landscaped strip down the middle or along the sides.
241 bouquet A bunch of flowers, especially one arranged decoratively.
242 bourbon A type of American whiskey made mostly from corn and aged in charred new oak barrels.
243 bourgeois Relating to the middle class, often used to criticise conventional, materialistic, or overly comfortable value...
244 bourgeoisie The property-owning middle class, especially as contrasted with the working class.
245 bourne A boundary or limit, or a destination one is heading toward.
246 boutique A small shop, especially one selling fashionable clothes or specialist goods.
247 Bouvier Short for "Bouvier des Flandres," a large, shaggy-coated herding dog breed from Belgium and France.
248 Boyce An English surname originally given to someone living near woods, also used as a male given name.
249 bracelet A band or chain worn around the wrist as jewelry.
250 braggart A person who boasts constantly about themselves.
251 brahmin A member of the priestly, scholarly caste in traditional Hindu society, the highest of the four main social cl...
252 Braille A writing system of raised dots that blind and partially sighted people read with their fingertips.
253 bran The tough outer layer of a cereal grain (wheat, rye, oats, etc.), sifted out from the flour and often eaten se...
254 brassiere A women's undergarment that supports the breasts; a bra.
255 bravado A bold, showy display of courage that is often not entirely genuine.
256 bravery The quality of facing danger, pain, or difficulty without giving in to fear.
257 brawn Physical muscle and strength, especially as opposed to intelligence or skill.
258 bray Of a donkey (or similar animal): to make its loud, harsh cry.
259 bream A freshwater or marine fish with a flattened, silvery body, popular with anglers.
260 breeze A light, pleasant wind.
261 bribe Money or a favor given to someone to influence their decision dishonestly.
262 bribery The act of giving money or a favour to someone in a position of power in order to influence their decision.
263 brigade A large military unit made up of several battalions or regiments.
264 brigand An outlaw or bandit, especially one operating in a gang.
265 brioche A soft, slightly sweet French bread or bun made rich with butter and eggs.
266 broach To bring up a sensitive or difficult topic for discussion.
267 brocade A heavy fabric woven with a raised, often ornate pattern, traditionally in gold or silver thread.
268 bronze A metal alloy, usually of copper and tin, used for statues, tools, and medals.
269 browse To look through something casually, without a specific goal in mind.
270 bruise A discoloured mark on the skin caused by a blow that damages blood vessels underneath without breaking the sur...
271 brunette Having brown hair.
272 brush A tool with bristles attached to a handle, used for cleaning, painting, or grooming hair.
273 buccaneer A pirate, especially one of the 17th-century seafarers who raided Spanish ships and settlements in the Caribbe...
274 budget An amount of money set aside for a particular purpose, project, or period of time.
275 buff A person deeply knowledgeable or enthusiastic about a particular subject.
276 buffet A meal set out on a table or counter for guests to serve themselves.
277 bulge A part that swells or sticks out from an otherwise flat or smooth surface.
278 bullet A small metal projectile fired from a gun.
279 bulletin A short official announcement or news report, especially one broadcast quickly.
280 bullion Precious metal, usually gold or silver, held in bulk form such as bars or ingots and valued by weight.
281 bun A small round bread roll, often sweet, or used to hold a filling like a burger.
282 bunion A painful, swollen bump that forms at the base of the big toe, caused by the joint shifting out of position.
283 buoy A floating marker anchored in water to warn of danger, mark a channel, or show a location.
284 bureau A government department or agency, especially one handling a specific area of administration.
285 bureaucracy A system of government or organization run through many layered offices and officials following fixed rules.
286 bureaucrat An official who works within a bureaucracy, especially one seen as rigidly following rules.
287 burlesque A theatrical style that mocks or exaggerates something for comic effect, or (historically) a variety show feat...
288 bushel A unit of dry volume measurement, historically used for grain and produce.
289 bust To break something, especially by force.
290 butcher A person whose trade is preparing and selling meat.
291 butchery Extremely violent and cruel killing.
292 butte An isolated hill with steep sides and a flat top, rising abruptly from the surrounding land.
293 button A small disc sewn onto clothing and pushed through a hole to fasten it.
294 cabal A small group secretly plotting together, especially in politics.
295 cabaret Live entertainment performed in a restaurant or club, typically featuring music, song, and dance.
296 cabernet Short for Cabernet Sauvignon, a variety of red wine grape and the full-bodied red wine made from it.
297 cabinet A piece of furniture with doors or drawers used for storage or display.
298 cache A hidden store of items kept for future use.